Mahjong!

WHEN YOU HEAR the word mahjong, what comes to mind? It might be remembering your grandmother around the kitchen table with her friends. Or it might be that strange game online that looks like solitaire but isn’t. Regardless, suddenly, mahjong seems to be everywhere—and it’s actually cool again!

Mahjong isn’t just a quirky pastime. It has true cultural history. It originated in China during the 1800s in the Qing dynasty. Some say it was a game for the nobility. Others believe it was invented by fishermen to pass time between catches. Either way, it took off fast.

By the 1920s, mahjong had made its way to the U.S., introduced by Chinese Americans and eventually adopted by wealthy socialites. It was all the rage, until, well, it wasn’t. The game faded for a few decades, but fast forward to the present and mahjong is having a moment.

Mahjong is a bit like gin rummy, only with tiles instead of cards, and a whole lot more rules. The tiles are decorated with bamboo (Bams), circles (Dots), Chinese characters (Cracks) winds (NEWS), dragons, and flowers. The idea is to make groups, sets, or runs all guided by a daunting card of winning hand options that, for novices, look a bit like Hieroglyphics. Initially, it can be overwhelming and complicated, but once it clicks, it is lots of fun and very strategic. Players put on their best poker faces, bluff each other, and when they win shout out “MAHJONG!” And, if you throw in some snacks and beverages of choice, it can be a party.

BACK IN VOGUE

How did this old-fashioned tile game find its way back to popularity? Movies like Crazy Rich Asians brought mahjong back into the spotlight in a funny way. Then came TikTok, where influencers began posting about girls’ nights out and brunches centered around chic mahjong sets, craft cocktails, and fun. It became a social media phenomenon. This led to millennials and Gen Zer’s starting to organize mahjong nights the way they used to plan wine tastings or dinners out with friends.

The real magic of mahjong, though, isn’t just the game itself. It’s in the gathering. In Chinese culture and beyond, mahjong has always been about connection. Families would sit down after dinner to play a few rounds, catching up, and telling stories. For immigrant families, it became a way to keep tradition alive. In Jewish American communities, particularly among women in the 20th century, mahjong became popular, with friends getting together for some fun and socialization.

Those traditions are still being passed down, but they are also evolving. Today, people are playing not just for fun, but for belonging. It resonates cross-culturally, intergenerationally, and it’s screen-free (except for the many online groups).

FIND YOUR GAME

So, where do people in Austin play mahjong? As has traditionally been the case, groups of friends often meet to play in their homes. In fact, there are groups right here in Mueller. But there are many other local options. There are postings on social media promoting mahjong groups, pop ups, parties and tutorials that are showing up all over town. On any given day, you can find people playing in the park or even at Central Market.

It’s not a simple game to learn, but it is fun and rewarding once you do. If you’re lucky enough to have friends or relatives to teach you, that is a great way to learn. There are also group classes and lessons available locally. If none of these ways work for you, there are also many online platforms (like Mahjong4Friends or RealMahjong) where you can learn to play online.

We are living in a time when people are craving real connections. Mahjong offers exactly that plus a bit of strategy, some luck, and a lot of fun. And don’t for a minute think that mahjong is only for the gals. Men are learning the game too because it really does create a fun activity for friends and family.

Whether you’re playing with your grandmother, hosting a mahjong night with your friends, or just trying to understand what in the world a “Pung” is, one thing is for sure: Mahjong is back, and it looks like it is here to stay. Now, go find some friends, shuffle those tiles, and get ready to shout “MAHJONG!” like you mean it.